Following the recent passing of my father, I learned something that I’m sure he didn’t know, and would venture to guess that not many do know.
I received a letter from The Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) stating that they have a right to use any assets left by my father to pay back any money spent by MassHealth to cover his medical needs dating back to 2005, less any funeral expenses incurred.
He was clearly qualified to get MassHealth coverage for many years and has had significant health problems. In 2017, his sister died and in 2018 he inherited a modest sum from her estate, which he simply put into a savings account and told us that he intended to leave it to my sister and I when the time came. He died unexpectedly this past summer before taking steps to beneficiary the money or place it into a trust of sorts.
Just a savings account. The eventual bill I received was for just under $14,000, and after requesting a formal break down of where they got that amount, I paid it from the estate. I don’t take issue with the costs, which were mostly copay amounts and emergency room visits; my issue is that when we get MassHealth (Medicaid) assistance, it is not made clear that it is a loan if you ever come into any money before you die, but an entitlement if you don’t.
Had he passed away before my aunt, they would have not recovered a dime. A wealthy person might have an economic advisor who would guide them to shelter any money from the state, while the poor may feel that a savings account is safe enough, making this another example of a poor tax.
I believe it is dubious that such legal state policies are not coupled with informed written consent by prospective MassHealth recipients that they will be expected to pay it back posthumously. There is enough money in this country to not be so ghoulish about things.
Chris Woodman
Easthampton